Pump strokes, muscle weakness, difficulty concentrating… Fatigue can become chronic and influence mood and quality of life. There are herbs that can help you manage it on a daily basis. Discover the best plants to fight fatigue.
Fatigue is one of the most frequent causes of consultation in France. It can manifest itself in various ways. We have physical fatigue, nervous fatigue and chronic fatigue.
Physical fatigue is a feeling of exhaustion of the body which generally prevents the realization of physical or mental activity. It is caused by a imbalance between the energy we spend and the way we recover this expended force.
Nervous fatigue is more diffuse, intangible and difficult to locate. It first affects our intellectual faculties and manifests itself in several phenomena: difficulty concentrating, decreased vigilance, drowsiness, etc. We can also observe factors like stress, anxiety, loss of appetite and sleep.
Chronic fatigue is fatigue that can be described as ” pathological “. It does not pass with rest and can last for several months. It is then accompanied by other symptoms such as joint or muscle pain, memory loss … In some cases, chronic fatigue can be a symptom of a disease such as fibromyalgia.
How plants help fight fatigue
There are plants called adaptogens which, thanks to their active ingredients, help the body to adapt to better manage stressful situations or fatigue. They strengthen the immune system and thus increase the body’s resistance to infections. Toning, they are ideal for people who feel a little weak and limp at certain times of the year.
Pupils and students often use them during exams, and as for assets, they use them to relieve stress at work. We can make one punctual cure three weeks minimum and six weeks maximum.
The adaptogenic plants are available in herbalists, pharmacies, drugstores, organic stores or on the Internet. They come in various forms: capsule, powder, hydroalcoholic extract, root decoction or herbal tea. They are not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women as well as for children under 12 years old.
Some of these herbs can also interfere with the action of certain medicines, so you should seek advice from a doctor or pharmacist before taking them if you are undergoing drug treatment. Also, people suffering from hypertension, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, or those taking anticoagulant treatments should refrain from consuming them.
We take you to discover our selection of the 10 best anti fatigue plants and we show you how to consume them.
1- Angelic
Angelica is a plant of the Apiaceae family. She is grown as condiment and medicinal plant for its very aromatic and stimulating petioles, stems and seeds as well as for its root used in herbal medicine.
Angelica stimulates the appetite, relieves digestive disorders or gastrointestinal spasms, bloating and flatulence. It is also effective against coughs, bronchitis, colds, rheumatic pain (external use), and fever. Tonic, it helps fight against fatigue.
She can take herself in infusion : take 1 g to 2 g of dried root in 250 ml of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes, and take 1 to 3 cups a day. It is also used in the form of a decoction: put 1 g to 2 g of finely chopped roots in 250 ml of cold water, then simmer on the fire for 10 minutes. Filter and take 1 to 3 cups per day, preferably lukewarm.
2- Acerola
Acerola is native to South America, and it is a tangy red fruit, which resembles a small, shiny cherry. In organic version, it is a superfood which has all the virtues of a natural multivitamin.
Ultra rich in vitamin C (35 times more than an orange), this little “cherry” is also packed with flavonoids which ensure good assimilation of the vitamin C it contains in the cells of the body.
Acerola can be consumed as a juice or as a food supplement in the form of chewable tablets, powders or capsules.
3- Coffee
Coffee is the fruit of a shrub native to the tropics of Africa and Asia. Well known for its diuretic properties, it also has a lipolytic action. It is also a good fat burner thanks to the caffeine it contains.
We also find in its composition phenolic compounds, vitamins of group B, manganese, potassium and magnesium. It is very low in calories, around 2 calories per cup.
In herbal medicine, coffee can be drunk as a decoction. You can consume at least 4 cups of coffee per day to benefit from its fat-burning effect. However, too much consumption (especially in the evening) can cause a drop in the quality of sleep. We therefore advise against taking it after 2 p.m.
4- Cinnamon
Cinnamon is one of the most famous spices in the world. It has been used for its medicinal properties for centuries. It is rich in antioxidants, essential oils, manganese, iron and calcium.
Cinnamon helps regulate insulin levels, lower blood sugar and promote weight loss. It is used in chinese medicine to treat colds, nausea and menstrual pain. In the ayurvedic medicine, it is known to treat diabetes and digestive disorders. It is also a energy and vitality booster, ideal against fatigue. It stimulates blood circulation and strengthens the metabolism.
We favor whole cinnamon sticks because they keep the aromatic oils for up to a year, while in powdered cinnamon they evaporate in a few months. They are stored in an airtight container, away from heat and humidity. They are lightly ground and passed through a spice or coffee grinder, then through a sieve before using them. You can also cook dishes with a whole stick and remove it after cooking.
5- Eleutherococcus
Eleutherococcus has been known in Western Europe for only a few decades. However, in the icy plains of Siberia, it has served as an anti-fatigue for centuries!
Eleutherococcus is a global stimulant, which soothes both physical and nervous fatigue. It stimulates the appetite, which is interesting in periods of convalescence. It does not present any risk of side effects.
Eleutherococcus comes in various forms and is used in several ways: powder, capsule, food supplement, decoction, infusion, capsule and mother tincture.
In infusion, we let 2 to 4 g of dried root powder soak in 150 ml of boiling water and drink one or two cups a day. In capsule or tablet: take the equivalent of 0.5 to 4 g of root powder per day, divided into 2 or 3 doses.
6- Ginseng
Ginseng is one of the major plants of the Chinese pharmacopoeia. As a bonus, it is said to be “adaptogenic”: it helps us adapt to stressful situations which thus become less tiring. It is also one of the anti fatigue remedies most famous in the West.
It is justified: ginseng is a invigorating plant which works on all fronts without causing the slightest nervousness or the smallest side effect. It stimulates physical and mental tone, and tones the nervous system.
Ginseng comes in and can be used in a variety of forms. It can be taken orally in the form of an infusion, decoction, capsule, extract or mother tincture. It is important to follow the pharmacist’s indications for the dosages because they differ according to the form and the case.
7- Mate
Native to South America, mate is a star plant in herbal medicine recognized for its benefits for slimming. It has the particularity of promoting fat metabolism thanks to the presence of saponins, molecules that stimulate thermogenesis.
Besides, its effects on overweight, it helps fight fatigue and has diuretic, antioxidant and laxative properties. It is packed with vitamins A, B and C, magnesium and calcium. The minerals and vitamin B present in mate maintain the action of the nervous system and help in physical relaxation. It’s a invaluable help for athletes.
Mate fights physical and mental fatigue and improves alertness and attention. Its particularity is to contain a mixture of several types of caffeine. This mixture helps increase wakefulness and fight against falling asleep.
It can be taken as an infusion or 4 to 5 g of dried leaves of mate in 1 l of water. We should not exceed 3 to 5 cups per day, due to the caffeine level. Absorption of mate in capsule form should not in no case exceed 6 capsules per day.
8- Rhodiola
Plant prized by herbalists, rhodiola or Rhodiola Rosea is intended for people who wish to improve their well-being and their mental state. It also has a positive effect on the digestive system. It also protects the liver against chemical, food and drug toxins.
By promoting endurance and physical performance, Rhodiola is highly recommended for athletes and athletes. Without being a doping agent, it helps fight fatigue, increases the ability to exercise and decreases the time needed for recovery after intense and prolonged physical activity.
9- Black tea
Black tea is a very well-known and widely consumed energy drink around the world. Its stimulating effect on the brain comes from the caffeine it contains. It is appreciated for its multiple health benefits.
Black tea helps improve digestion, reduce stress, and prevent diabetes. It strengthens bones, protects the heart and prevents cardiovascular disease. We also recognize his effectiveness in fighting fatigue. It improves physical performance by 12%, especially endurance.
Note, however, that the anti fatigue effects of tea last all day. No need to drink it regularly, one cup is enough for the day because the caffeine in tea is released slowly and for a long time up to 6 hours after being drunk.
10- Green tea
Like most caffeinated herbs, green tea is one of the fat burners: it helps you stay lean. This means that it has the property of increasing lipolysis (degradation of certain fats) and thermogenesis (production of heat in the body).
Green tea contains polyphenols, flavonoids and catechins, which are powerful antioxidants. It has a reputation for being good for the brain and for preventing cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and diabetes. By its richness in caffeine (green tea is less rich in caffeine than black tea, i.e. 2.5% against 3.5%) and vitamin C, it is often used to fight fatigue.
Green tea is mainly used in the form of an infusion but it can also be found in the form of food supplements in capsules or in liquid concentrate. Due to a suspected hepatotoxic effect, especially if consumed on an empty stomach, it is recommended to always consume green tea at the end of a meal or as a snack… Never on an empty stomach!
And what do you use to fight fatigue? Tell us in the comments.
